Türkiye’s growing strength in the exhibition industry took center stage at the UFI European Conference. Highlighting the country’s strong production, export, and exhibition infrastructure, İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu called on international organizers to “not just observe Türkiye, but invest in it.”
During a session held as part of the UFI European Conference, hosted by İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and İZFAŞ at Fuar İzmir, Precision Communities Co-Founder Barış Onay served as moderator. Speakers included Mahmut Er, Chairman of the Board of Silk Road International Exhibitions; Mehtap Gürsoy, General Manager of Hannover Fairs Turkey / Deutsche Messe AG for Türkiye and the MENA Region; and İZFAŞ General Manager Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu. The session focused on Türkiye’s exhibition industry, the growing presence of Turkish companies at international trade fairs, and the opportunities the country offers to international organizers.

“Türkiye’s Exhibition Story Is Built on a Long Tradition”
Drawing attention to Türkiye’s exhibition heritage, Tuğçe Cumalıoğlu emphasized that the country’s success in the sector is the result of decades of accumulated experience and long-term vision. Noting that İzmir holds a special place in the history of the exhibition industry in Türkiye, Cumalıoğlu said: “Türkiye’s exhibition industry is not a new success story; it is the outcome of a deeply rooted history and a long-term vision. The fact that the country’s first international fair was held in İzmir in 1936, and that the İzmir International Fair became a UFI member in 1947, demonstrates that an international outlook has long been an integral part of our exhibition culture. The growth we are witnessing today is being built upon this strong legacy.”

“Growing Fairs Drive New Investments”
Cumalıoğlu noted that İzmir’s exhibition journey has evolved steadily over the years and that the scale reached by fairs held at Kültürpark made new investments necessary. “As our fairs expanded, the need for a larger and more modern venue became increasingly evident. In response, Fuar İzmir was developed entirely through the resources of İzmir Metropolitan Municipality and opened in 2015. With a total area of 330,000 square meters and 120,000 square meters of indoor exhibition space, Fuar İzmir is now one of Türkiye’s leading exhibition centers, hosting major events such as Marble İzmir and Agro Expo, both of which operate at full capacity and attract strong international participation.”

“Türkiye’s Economic Structure Supports the Exhibition Industry”
According to Cumalıoğlu, one of the key drivers behind Türkiye’s success in the exhibition sector is its strong manufacturing and export capacity. “Türkiye has a robust production infrastructure and an export-oriented business environment. This supports participation in both domestic and international exhibitions. Turkish companies actively use trade fairs to reach new customers, enter new markets, and establish international business connections. As a result, Türkiye has developed a dynamic and thriving exhibition ecosystem.”

“Public Support Matters, but So Does Companies’ Ambition to Grow”
Highlighting the increasing visibility of Turkish companies at international trade fairs, Cumalıoğlu noted that public support mechanisms have played an important role in this process. “Today, many companies no longer view exhibitions merely as promotional activities. They see them as strategic investments and an integral part of their long-term growth strategies. However, Türkiye should not be viewed solely through the companies that participate in exhibitions. With its strong manufacturing base, active business community, deep-rooted exhibition tradition, and growing market, Türkiye offers long-term opportunities for international organizers.”

“Exhibitions Follow Business Opportunities”
Cumalıoğlu also pointed out that transformations in global trade are having a direct impact on the exhibition industry. As trade routes evolve and supply chains are reshaped, new business opportunities continue to emerge. “As trade relationships develop and new business connections are established, exhibition activities grow as well. Exhibitions have always followed business opportunities.”

Concluding her remarks, Cumalıoğlu addressed international exhibition organizers directly, emphasizing that successful business relationships in Türkiye are built on trust and long-term engagement. “In Türkiye, people want to get to know you before doing business with you. Trust takes time to build, but it forms the foundation of lasting partnerships. For this reason, Türkiye is not simply a market to visit and leave behind. It is a market where relationships can be built, investments can be made, and growth can be achieved together. Wherever strong relationships exist, sustainable partnerships and new opportunities will follow.”
 

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